Heidi was born in Melbourne in 1967 to immigrant parents — a common story for many Melbournians. She completed her HSC in 1984, and went on to complete a BA in Fine Art Photography in 1988. Amongst other roles, Heidi has owned and operated her own photography business, specialising in portraits and event photography. Heidi has been involved in community work for over 30 years, starting with what was then the Spastic Society (now known as Scope). Heidi then went on to spend time with the Make-A-Wish foundation, where she was the Melbourne President and a National Board Director. More recently, she has served on the Australian board of the National Council of Women as a Company Secretary. All of these were honorary, unpaid positions. Even with her busy life, which includes being a Mum to an active daughter, Heidi’s willingness to assist the not-for-profit sector continues today, where she often does many hours of unpaid work in the Bayswater community.
As a person passionate about fighting injustice, Heidi’s move into politics was a logical one. Heidi was elected to State Parliament in 2006, to represent the people of Bayswater District in the Legislative Assembly in Victoria. In November 2009, Heidi was made Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Arts, and in November 2010, she was given the honour of becoming Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier, and Assisting the Premier with the Arts in the Baillieu led Coalition government. In March 2013, Heidi was given the great honour of being advanced into the Cabinet as the Minister for the Arts, Minister for Women’s Affairs and Minister for Consumer Affairs in the Napthine Coalition government. Today Heidi serves as Member for Bayswater District, Shadow Minister for Arts and Culture, Shadow Minister for Tourism and Major Events, and Shadow Minister for Consumer Affairs.